Metallic-weave construction for bottle-holders and other frames.



J. F. SGHOEPPL.

METALLIC WEAVE CONSTRUCTION FOR BOTTLE HOLDERS AND OTHER FRAMES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 28, 1910.

1,027,358.v C Patented'May2-1, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

(June to;

J. F. SGHO-BPPL.

METALLIC WEAVE CONSTRUCTION FOR BOTTLE HOLDERS AND OTHER FRAMES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 28, 1910. 1,027,358.

Patented May 21,1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

m dbdbdbitdbdbw m a rz q/v vlmeo oeo UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH F. scnonrrn, or BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

Specification of Letters Patent.

' Patented May 21, 1912.

Continuation of application Serial No. 509,277, filed July 24, 1909. This application filed May 28, 1910.

' Serial No. 563,943. v

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH F. ScnonrrL, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Baltimore, State of l\ [aryland, have invented certain newoand useful Improvements in Metallic-\Veave construe.

tion for Bottle-Holders and other Frames, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to improvements in crates. and relates more particularly and specificallyto improvements in the bottle holding means employed in shipping crates for maintaining the bottles in the crate in an upright position and spaced relatively to each other, this application being a continuation of my application filed July 24, 1909. Serial No. 509,277.

The invention has for its object to provide metallic bottle holding means of a comparatively light weight, yet of extreme rigidity and strength, so that when placed in the crate it will be capable of withstanding all of the. ordinary rough usage to which devices of this character are subjected.

It is further the object of this invention to provide a metal weave construction of comparatively light weight, which confines its separating cells to their assigned size and space and fixes them infiexibly, without the use of solder, rivets or other binding means A still further object of the present invention is to provide a bottle holding means which, when mounted within a crate, whether the latter be of a wood or metal cmlstructien, is so constructed and arranged that no crevices or grooves remain in the crate for the accumulation of dust, or other foreign matter.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a bottle holding means which may be used with either a crate having a bottom, or a bottomless crate, and with either form of crate, the effectual closing of all grooves or crevices in the crate is maintained.

Various other objects of the presentinvention will appear as the description-proceeds, and in describing the invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawings illustrating certain embodiments of the invention as the Same has changes may be made without departing from the general spirit of theinvention.

In the drawings: Figure 1 1s a perspective view of a bottle holding means embodying the features of the present invention,

showing the same mounted in a crate, one of the sides of the latter being removed, and certain portions of the crate broken away to better illustrate features and advantages that will be hereinafter pointed out. Fig. 2 is longitudinal sectional view of the bottle holder constructed in accordance with the form shown in Fig. 1, a portion of the crate bottom being shown in this view in section, Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional "view of the same, Fig. 4 is a detailedview in elevation of a part of one of the side frame bars of the holder, and a part of one of the end walls of the crate, Fig. 5 is a detailed perspective view of a part of the two opposite side bars of the holder and one of the end bars thereof, Fig. 6 is a detached perspective view of one of the intermediate bars of the holder, Fig. 7 is a similar view of one of the upright spacing and stiffening members, Fig. 8 is a plan view of a bottle holding member constructed in accordance with my invention and adapted for use particularly with bottomless crates, Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the same. end view thereof, Fig. 11 is a transverse vertical sectional View taken on the line 11-11 of Fig. 8, looking in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 12 is a longitudinal section view taken on theline 1212 of Fig. 8 looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 13 is a detailed sectional view illustratingthe manner in which the upright spacing and stiffening members are arranged, Fig. 14 is a detailed view in elevation of one of the intermediate bars of the holder, Fig. 15 is a detail view in side elevation of a part of one of the side bars showing a modified form of slot, and Fig. 16 is a similar View of one of the end bars used with the form of side bar shown in Fig. 15.

The invention in the present case resides in the particular manner in which the metallic bars from which the holder is con Fig. 10 is an structed are interwoven with each other and finally interengaged and firmly locked with each other toelfect a rigid and unyielding bottle holder.

Referrin to the construction of the device as em odied in Figs. 1 to 7 inclusive, the device is shown as comprising two spaced holding members disposed one above partitions against pressure of heavy botthe other, and held in rigid spaced relation other.

bars 18. The side bars 15 are 4 equally distant spaced points with horizontally-extending key hole slots 19, the slots with respect to each other. The upper member which will be herein termed the upper holding member comprises a frame embodying'two side bars 15 and two end bars 16. The lower holding member also comprises two' side bars deslgna ted 17 and two end rovided at in the one side bar 15 matching with the slots in the other side bar'15, that is, the slots 19 in both of these -bars are equally spaced and are arranged in the same manner, the large ends of the slots'in both bars extending in the same direction. The end bars 16 are provided with similar slots 20, and these slots in the two endbars 16 correspond .to each other, in the same manner as the slots in the side bars-19 correspond to each The side bars 17 of the lower holding member are provided with like slots 19, and 'the end ars '18 of said lower holder also have similar slots. These slots in -the respective bars of the lower holding member match in a similar manner to the slots in the upper holding member. bars.

In Fig. 1 the holder is shown as mounted.

in the ordinary form of wooden shipping crate 21, and when used'in connection with this form of crate, it is usual to groovethe side and end walls of the crate to receive the side and end bars of the holder in orderto secure. the latter in fixed position in the crate. This mounting of a metallic holder within a crate ,oI thls character is clearly shown in Letters Patent No.874',996 grantedto me December 31, 1807, and in Letters Patent No. 899,010 granted to F. C. H. Haugk and myself September 15,1908. In the latter patent referred to the grooves are shown as extending but partially the length of the side and end walls, and in the first patent referred to the grooves. are shown as extending the entire length of said walls. Objection has been made to each of these forms owing to the fact that the grooves provide means for the accumulation of dust, dirt, and other'foreign matter, which occasions trouble in maintaining the crate in a thoroughly clean condition; It is of course advantageous in the manufacture to groove the walls throughout their length,

entire length of the walls on account of the weakening. thereof at the'points where the grooves are made, and the danger of the walls splitting in case they are nailed together at the oints where grooved. Another objection is the lackof stability in the separating cells. The crimped or twisted wires for certain sizes have not enough resisting strength to hold their own in their tles when the'crate is in an inclined posifectly fiat and rigid necessitating the providing of a groove only of sufficient size to neatly receive said side and end bars, the latter completely filling the grooves in the crate, and thus efi'ect exclusion of dirt and other foreign matter therefrom. This is fully illustrated audit is believed will be obvious from an inspection of Fig. 1, wherein the side bars and end bars of both the upper and lower holding members are shown as neatly filling the grooves 22 provided therefor in the end and side walls of the crate 21. I preferably make the side bars 15, 11 greater in length than the intermediate bars to be hereinafter referred to, so as to provide the ends'23 which overlap onto the ends of the end walls of the crate 21, thus closingup the ends of the grooves 22 in the side walls of the crate. This construction at the same time serves to securely fasten the frame in the crate and prevents willful removal of the same.

As before stated, the holder is constructed from thin metallic bars, the side and end bars comprising the frame being fiat, but

the intermediate longitudinal and transverse interwoven and interlocked bars are preferably corrugated, as shown in Fig. 1, for the purpose of effectually holding the bottles spaced a sufficient distance from each other to prevent contact. In the construction shown in Fi 1 the upper holding member has a plurality of longitudinally-extending intermediate bars 24 and a plurality of interlocked transversely-extending bars 25 one series of the intermediate bars being interwoven with the other series of intermediate bars. Since these bars are the same in the upper and lower holding members, the same reference numerals will be applied thereto. Each bar is of a form as shown in detail in Fig. 6, being notched in opposite side edges adjacent each end to form reduced necks defining T-shaped heads 26, and also provided throughout its length with equi- Ill ' dist-ant notches 27 made in the edges of the bar and alternating orstaggered in their arrangement in said edges.

In assembling the holder in accordance with the showing in Figs. 1 to 7, the end bars 16 or 18 are first engaged with the side bars 15 or 17 as the case may be-to form the frame which receives the two series of intermediate bars. For clearness I will describe. the assembling of the upper holder member, the assembling of the lower holder member being accomplished in similar manner. The end bars 16 are placed fiatwise with respect to the side bars 15, the

T-shaped heads are entered in the slots 19,v

and, the end bars then given one quarter turn so as to interlock the T-shaped head 26 in the key holeslots 19, the enlarged ends of said slots forming bearings for the reduced necks when turning said-end bars, the turning of the end bars being toward the enlarged ends of said slots. After the side and end bars have thus been interlocked together and the frame thus formed, the intermediate bars 24 have their T-shaped heads placed within the slots 20 of the end bars. These intermediate bars 24 are then given a one-quarter turn so as to bring the side faces thereof in a vertical position, the pressure it being remembered being directed toward the enlarged ends of the slots 20. The transversely-extending intermediate bars 25 are then placed in position by interweaving them with the longitudinally-extending bars 24. That is, each transverse bar 25 is placed over the top of one of the bars 24, underneath the succeeding bar 24 and on top of the next succeeding bar 24. These transverse bars 24 are so placed in this interweaving that the notches 27 thereof register with the similar notches in the bars 24.

The heads 26 of the transverse bars are then engaged with the slots in the side bars. When thus engaged, these bars are given a one-quarter turn, the pressure'thereon being directed toward the enlarged ends of the last bar 25 is inserted, and when this bar is placed in position the frame is effectually locked together and made perfectly rigid and inseparably oined.

For supporting the spaced members ofthe holder intermediate the ends thereof, I preferably employ uprights, one of which, as 28, is preferably placed directly at the center of the holder and the other two 29 of which may be placed at opposite sides of the central one 28 and disposed with their faces at right angles to the faces of the upright 28. Each upright is provided on a line intersecting with the plane of the lower frame with an opening. 30- ,to receive the central intermediate bar .24 of the lower holdingmember, and the upper end of the upright is bifurcated as at 31 so as to form prongs which are bent'over, as clearly illus: trated in Fig. 1, and. engaged withthe central intermediate bar 24 of the up ing member, the bifurcation in sai upright receiving the central transverse intermediate bar of the upper holding member. The uprights 29 being laced with their faces at right angles to t e faces of the upright 28, receive through the opening therein the central intermediate bar of the lower frame er holdmember, and have their upper ends receivs ing the central longitudinal intermediate shown in Figs. 2-and '3, and thus assist in maintaining the rigidity of the bottle holding member. It will of course be understood that as many of these braces may be used as may be demanded by the size of the holding member.

In Figs. 8 to 14, the same bro-ad conoept1on of the manner of constructing the holding members of interlocking and interwoven bars is involved. In this construction, I have shown in addition to the bars forming the holder, a base or bottomfor the bottle to rest upon.' This construction is adapted for use with a bottomless crate, or in any connection where it is not desired to have the bottles rest upon the bottom of 'thecrate, in which the holder is arranged. This construction is particularly adapted for use in cases where, in addition'to strength of the holding member, the utmost cleanliness is desired, as is'the case for instance in crates used for milk bottles, whieh undergo a daily cleansing. The two holding members in this construct-ion are identical with that above described, and the same reference numerals are therefore given thereto.

p The. construction of the base 34 involves theobvious that a greater number of longitudinal or transverse intermediate bars will be necessary, in order to form a rest for the bottle. In the present illustration ,1 have shown' the longitudinal bars of the base as increased in number to those employed in the holding members. It will be readily understood that where these bars are spaced only a short distance apartit will be dlflicult in the interweaving of. the transverse and the longitudinal bars, to alternate with each bar, as, owin to the short space between the longitudinal bars, and the necessary closeness of the notches in the transverse bars, the latter would be liable to break at the notches. To obviate such risk and facilitate the work, I arrange the notches in these bars in the manner shown in detail for the bar designated 34 in Fig. 14. In the construction illustrated, .-I have shown nine longitudinal bars in the base, and the notches are arranged in the opposite side edges of the transverse and longitudinal bars, so that the latter in assembling are passed either over or under three of the longitudinal bars, then under or over the three succceedin bars, and then over or under the lastthree ars. ,The stiffening and bracing uprights '35 shown in this construction connect the base firmly with the bottle holding members, these uprights receiving the central longitudinal bar of the upper and lower holder in the same manner as before described, and having their bifurcated ends clenched with'the bars ofthe upper holding member and the bars of the base, It is pref erable that these uprights 35 have theirv prongs ends clenched in opposite directions as clearly shown in Fig. 13, in which view the uprights are also shown as being interwoven with the bars of the holders.

The base in the constructionabove described is preferably formed entirely of flat uncrimped bars, and, since these bars are positioned with the wider. faces vertically, their straight edges and cross-sections expose the least possible surface for retaining water, rust or dust. Such construction also permits of the base being easily cleansed as will be apparent.

In both constructions, I desire to call particular attention to the manner in which the bars are interlocked as has been set forth, particularly with respect to the fact that the pressure applied during the turning of the bar is always toward the enlarged ends of the slots which, as before stated,

form bearings for the reduced necks of'said bars. Such construction materially facilitates the rapid assembling of the holders as each bar as it is placed in position is not only firmly held, but the remainder of the holder is in such condition that the succeeding bars can be rapidly placed in position. In either construction, it is desirable and preferable to make all of the intermediate and transverse bars of both of the upper and lower holding member of corrugated outline, as such construction provides for the required spacing of the bottles, without necessitating the use of a heavy material for effecting this spacing. Consequently, the

holdermabe constructed at a comparalarged portion of the opening at one end thereof, as this is the more ractical construction, though I do not wish to confine myself to thisv rticular form of o ning, as obviously the interlocking of the are may be efiected by providin the enlar ed por tion of the slot interme iatethe en 5 thereof, as in Figs. 15 and 16' wherein the slots 19 are so shown. Obviously, also, the spacing .slots in the frame bars as having the enof the slots may be'equi-distant or otherwise spaced in each frame bar as the particular frame being constructed may require or demand. Attention is also called to the fact that in the construct-ion shown and described, a device is built up of bars .of the same width, and as a result, when the bars are interwoven and interlocked in the manner described, all of the bars lie in the same plane, the upper' and lower edges of the lntermediate and transverse bars' being in 'a plane with the upper and. lower edges respectively of the side and end bars, and the separating of the cells is uniform and fixed so as to resist pressure of any size bottle -which they will receive.

I would have it understood that I claim broadly herein the particular manner of interlocking and interlacing the bars as herein shown and above described, and do not limit myself in this connection to the use formed in the upper, and'lower edges of the transverse and longitudinal ,bars and disposed at the intersection of said bars, said transverse bars being passed alternately over and under the longitudinal bars, whereby when the transverse bars are given a quarter turn, the recesses will interengage with the heads extending beyond the outer faces of the adjacent bars, thereby rigidly to lock all'of said bars in a vertical plane.

2. The combination with a crate having a seating groove in the side and end walls thereof, of a holding frame supported within said groove and including rigid intersecting longitudinal and transverse bars arranged on edge, the outer longitudinal bars being of greater length than the intermediate longitudinal bars-and the terminals of transverse bars bein extended alternately over and under the e ges of the intermediate longitudinal bars and havin locking recesses formed in their opposlte edges and adapted to engage similar locking recesses formed in the opposite edges of the longitudinal bars there being T-shaped heads formed onthe terminals of the transverse bars and terminals of the intermediate longitudinal bars and adapted to pass through the adjacent key-hole slots, whereby when the bars are given a quarter turn, the recesses will interengage and the heads bear against the outer faces ofthe adjacent bars and lock all of said bars rigidly in a vertical plane.

3. A holding device forcrates including superposed frames, each comprising flat in tersecting longitudinal and transverse r1 1d bars arranged on edge and. having locking recesses formed in their opposite longitudinal edges and registering at the points of intersection of said bars, the transverse bars of the frames being extended alternately over the upper edge of one longitudinal bar and under the under of the next adjacent longitudinal bar and having their opposite ,ends provided with substantially T-shaped heads adapted to enter slots formed in the outer longitudinal bars, whereby when the transverse bars are given a quarter turn, the recesses will interengage and the heads bear against the outer faces of the adjacent bars, and a brace forming a rigid connection between said frames,

In testimony whereof I aflixmy signature in the presence of two witnesses. 4 JOSEPH F. SCHOEPPL. Witnesses:

A. M. WILSON, L. W. ANDERSON. 

